Tag: witch crafting

If you don’t already know, or can’t tell by my previous posts, books are my life. After a very long life, my husband has promised to bury me with books, and if he decides to cremate me, my ashes are to be scattered along the inside of a Barnes and Noble or Library while no one’s looking so I may have access to books in the afterlife!

Recently, I made the tough decision to weed through my collection, giving away pieces of myself and my life as I packed them into boxes to donate. Fortunately, I was able to keep a quite a few of the books that have inspired my practice without feeling too cluttered (is that even possible with books?!).

“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.”

Jim Rohn

I’ve been wanting to create this post for quite a while, as I feel like books are so essential to who I am. Some of these I’ve read several times, some I’ve read only once, a few are still on my TBR (To Be Read) list.

In no way is this list comprehensive, exhaustive, or finished. I have many more titles I wanted to add, but felt that I’d already exceeded the capacity to keep ones interest without being too cumbersome (so look forward to another huge post of books in the future).

This list isn’t cohesive to all witches; my practice is pretty eclectic and my readings tend to spread out over a variety of areas. I also neglect some areas that other feel are vital- so you might feel as I’ve missed some pretty necessary titles. Leave them for me below and I’ll add them to the next post! I already have quite a few recommendations from friends that you will see on the next one, so don’t be shy! Lay them on me!

“Books are uniquely portable magic.”

Stephen King

In all honesty and fairness, too, not all the books be stunning examples of great writing (though, even that’s subjective); however, it’s my belief that it doesn’t have to be great to teach us something. Every single book on this list has taught me something that I didn’t know before, and even though some were dry or very clinical, it was worth the read to gain the knowledge.

I won’t give my opinions on any of these books- simply because I’ve gained something from each one and I don’t want to influence someone’s choice to read it with my subjective opinion on the writing; my review might just keep someone from picking it up and that’s not something this bibliophile could easily sleep with!

I will give you my glowing recommendations, though, for each category- the ones that blew my mind, or that I’ve enjoyed so much that I’ve read more than once, bought all the author’s books, or simply just gained lots of knowledge from. You might hate the ones I love and that’s okay- I don’t take it personally and I don’t judge! I will tell you like I tell my son: “the only thing I care about is that you READ!” We all have different lessons to learn, therefore, each experience between the pages will affect us differently!

“You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.”

Ray Bradbury

I’d love to know some of your recommendations! Have you read any of these on this list? Which books stood out to you? Are there any authors you love that you think I should check out? What titles would you like to see on the next list?

I’ve broken the books into my own categories, to make them easier to browse for you. I’ve included a link to the book on Amazon for your convenience.

Note of Transparency (I feel like that is almost a superhero’s name!): I do earn a small commission for every book bought through the links, but your price is not affected at all.

Astrology

Howard Sasportas expands beyond the basics of astrology with “The Twelve Houses” in a logical and complete way. For me, this book connected dots between my beginner knowledge and the advance knowledge I had always hoped to gain in Astrology. He’s detailed without being condescending, and explains things in a way that makes it not only easy to follow but even easier to understand. Most astrology books rely on keywords to explain the houses, without giving much detailed information as to why those keywords are important. Howard not only explains why we’ve come up with the terminology, but how each house smoothly flows into the house after it- completing an intricate and complex picture that makes up a unique natal chart. A must read for anyone interested in astrology.

“Wheels of Life” is one of those books that will change your life, and you’ll begin recommending it to everyone you know (I do). This book expands on the Seven Chakras in great detail, explaining how they work in tandem, what each one does, and how blockages could be affecting your energy. Anodea’s writing style is smooth and flowy- allowing you to delve deep into this book without much effort. There were many times, upon reading for the first time, that I was mind-blown by her knowledge. It’s a book that I plan to read again very soon, as I feel I still have so much to learn from it.

“The Book of Stones” ties with Judy Hall’s “Crystal Bible” and Scott Cunningham’s “Encyclopedia”, when it comes to information and presentation. However, I love this book the best because it goes into greater detail for more stones, and it doesn’t rely on opinion to back its facts. When referencing a stone book, 9 times out of 10, I’ll suggest this book over any other!

This entire category is on my To-Be-Read list, but this book is one I just bought and am looking forward to getting into immediately. I’ve heard wonderful things about it and hope that it delivers! I’ll update this post with a better review as I start crossing these off my TBR!

“Moonology” is a cute little book. It’s not revolutionary, and doesn’t give a whole bunch of new ideas on the topic- but it does remind us how important the moon can be to our practices. I remember nodding my head in agreement a lot throughout this book, as it reinforced my own beliefs and magick at the time!

Whew- this is another life-changing read on this list. As a woman, Barbara’s work was liberating, eye-opening, and even infuriating at times. It taught me how conditioned I’ve become by society and how ingrained the hatred of women is in our every day lives. It’s a read that everyone, especially women, need to enjoy at least once. It’s empowering without being hateful and inspiring without being belittling. She made me even more proud to be a woman, and even more determined to make sure our children live in a better world than we do. She also connects the dots between patriarchal conditioning and the death of the goddess- which might be even more empowering for those of us who worship deities. If no other book on this list piques your interest, this one should! I’m even scheduled to reread this for June’s Book Club this year!

Definitely an introduction to candle magic, this book isn’t going to blow anyone’s mind; however, it holds a special flame in my heart as being one of the first books I intentionally bought to expand my personal brand of witchcraft over a decade and a half ago. It has quite a bit of information in it for such a small book, and is a great little read for anyone interested in magick. I just recently learned that D.J. Conway’s work was controversial, but I don’t feel that to be the case. As will all spiritual guided books, take what works for you and discard the rest.

The Law of Attraction is such an integral part of my practice that it almost goes without saying that this book is important to me. The concept that our thoughts have power has changed how I view my reality and how I interact with other people (and energies). This work has reinforced my inner beliefs and has been an important piece to my spirituality. Esther and Jerry do a great job of teaching in Abraham’s voice, giving the reader the feeling that you’re hearing from the man himself. A must read for anyone who follows a more “thought-based” practice, as it helped me move past my insecurities in my own ideology.

It was a toss up for this category of which book to choose. I am an intense lover of Carl Jung’s and Rumi’s works- but this book here just left me speechless. The empowering poems focus on the Feminine read as if ripped from my very soul. Amanda appears to have no fear, or shame, in her effort to lift women up and it’s so refreshing to feel as if my inner-most thoughts are shared with another. Her writing isn’t condescending as I’ve found many other feminist authors to be, but is real- as if any woman I know could have written it. And, for me, that connects much deeper than flowery prose. Her poems are deep, thoughtful, and truly touching. If only I could express how much her writing has affected me, but if you knew how much I love Carl Jung- you’d understand what my choosing this book over him says. READ THIS BOOK!

This category was difficult, with so many amazing titles I could have featured. Each one is so personal, and different, that it really is hard to pick just one. Depending on your path, or what you find important in your practice, most every single book on here could be “the one”. “The Kuan Yin Chronicles” is a fascinating work and is very dear to me, so I chose this one to show you. Though I don’t currently worship any deities, Kuan Yin has been on my radar for years as an archetype. I have statues of her likeness throughout my home as inspiration and found this book to have been a connection to her that I hadn’t know I needed. If I were to ever begin worshiping tangible deities, Kuan Yin would be at the top of the list- and learning about her life before becoming a “goddess” was almost like getting to know her personally.

As someone who isn’t too versed on the formalities of the Sabbats, these little books are not only informative- but easy to finish. Filled with quick histories, tips, and even recipes, the Llewellyn series is great for witches who aren’t devotees of the Sabbats (like me) but who want to learn about them in quick and effective way.

This book is excellent for beginners of Tarot, long-time practitioners of Tarot, and everyone in between. I absolutely adore this book, and the information in it. As someone who’s been a reader for a while, I began to read this book only recently and still have found it to be relevant to me. It’s the first book I recommend to anyone now who is interested in the cards in any capacity!

Deborah Blake is one of those writers that makes you feel like if you knew her in real life, you’d be fast friends. Her style is relaxed, but intimate- and she’s funny! I loved this book, and really anything she writes, as I feel like if I wrote a book the tone would be similar! She tends to trend more toward Wicca, in my opinion, but that doesn’t mean that there’s not plenty of information for those (like me) who don’t follow that path. I love anything she’s written, and find that I take away more than I discard- even if we follow two separate paths.